Insect Horror Comics.PlanetSlade's latest little offering is an exclusive six-page webcomic drawn by The Squirrel Machine's Hans Rickheit. The story was scripted by me from a David Attenborough radio programme about some bizarre and violent insect breeding strategies. Fratricide, cannibalism, identity theft, addiction, slavery and hundreds of dead babies: this one's got it all!

This particular project began in June 2010, when I heard Attenborough describe how the UK’s Large Blue butterfly, the Sabuleti ant and the Ichneumon wasp engage in a constant dance of violence and deception to ensure their respective children survive.

Seeing the story play out in my head as a series of comics panels, I scripted it up in that form, and set about finding the right artist to draw it. When I discovered Rickheit’s magnificently creepy art on his own Ectopiary webcomic, I managed to persuade him to take the Insect Horror strip on, and he did a great job.

Awesome! I've watched Planet Earth and Life recently. Those who work with David Attenborough, yourself included, seem to find some very resonant dramatic arcs among animals.posted by ignignokt at 9:20 AM on May 8, 2011

this is very good, well done!posted by Bwithh at 3:26 PM on May 8, 2011

I am creeped out by the mother's day comic. Mission accomplished!posted by hot_monster at 11:51 AM on May 9, 2011